Romanian popular music
Encyclopedia
In Romania, the syntagm popular music is used to denote a musical genre based on folklore, but distinct from it. The distinction is both in form and essence and it arises mainly from the commercial aspect of the popular music.
and lăutărească music) also started to appear. Some of the most important singers of popular music from this period are Maria Tănase
and Maria Lătăreţu.
, that took an interest in the popular music (for its tie with the masses) and imposed its own aesthetics. The music become standardized with short and simple structures as opposed to the longer and more irregular song structures that frequently occur in the traditional music. Improvisation, that plays an important part in both the peasant and the lăutărească music, was completely left out. The performers were required to have formal musical studies and were required to sing and play in a "nice and easy" manner in contrast to the coarser styles found in traditional musics. The regime promoted its own palette of "popular stars", while genuine performers of traditional musics were totally ignored (except a very few that were able to adapt to the new requirements).
One of the most important changes done by the communist regime was the creation of large popular ensembles. This current started in the Soviet Union
and spread in all the countries of the communist block, as it was seen as a "superior way of rendering the folklore".
Some of the most important artists of this era are Ion Dolănescu
, Maria Ciobanu, Irina Loghin, Sofia Vicoveanca
, Nicolae Furdui Iancu and instrumentalists like Gheorghe Zamfir
, Dumitru Fărcaş
and Dumitru Zamfira. Some of the most important ensembles were the national "Ciocârlia" ensemble, the "Barbu Lăutaru" ensemble of the State Philharmonic, the "Doina" ensemble of the Romanian Army, etc. Most of this ensembles disband after the fall of the communist regime or reduced their personnel. Today, the most famous orchestras are the "Lăutarii" ensemble (based in Moldova) and a so called "National Orchestra for Folklore" ("Orchestra Naţională de Folclor").
Origins
The popular music originated at the beginning at the 20th century when the first recordings were made. Traditional songs were collected and were adapted so they would have more appeal to the general public. Original compositions with motifs inspired by the traditional music (both peasantRomanian peasant music
The Romanian peasant music is the music of the Romanian peasants. The Romanian peasant music has largely disappeared, but it can still be found in isolated villages in regions like Maramureş, Hunedoara, Tulcea or Bucovina....
and lăutărească music) also started to appear. Some of the most important singers of popular music from this period are Maria Tănase
Maria Tanase
Maria Tănase was a renowned Romanian singer of Romanian traditional or non-contemporary folklore.-Biography:Born in the Bucharest suburb of Cărămidari, Maria Tănase's Primary School was nr. 11 Tăbăcari. She made her stage debut in Cărămidarii de Jos, at the Ion Heliade Rădulescu High School...
and Maria Lătăreţu.
Involvement of the communist regime
An important development in the popular music happened with the arrival of the communist regimeCommunist Romania
Communist Romania was the period in Romanian history when that country was a Soviet-aligned communist state in the Eastern Bloc, with the dominant role of Romanian Communist Party enshrined in its successive constitutions...
, that took an interest in the popular music (for its tie with the masses) and imposed its own aesthetics. The music become standardized with short and simple structures as opposed to the longer and more irregular song structures that frequently occur in the traditional music. Improvisation, that plays an important part in both the peasant and the lăutărească music, was completely left out. The performers were required to have formal musical studies and were required to sing and play in a "nice and easy" manner in contrast to the coarser styles found in traditional musics. The regime promoted its own palette of "popular stars", while genuine performers of traditional musics were totally ignored (except a very few that were able to adapt to the new requirements).
One of the most important changes done by the communist regime was the creation of large popular ensembles. This current started in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and spread in all the countries of the communist block, as it was seen as a "superior way of rendering the folklore".
Some of the most important artists of this era are Ion Dolănescu
Ion Dolănescu
Ion Dolănescu was a Romanian singer of popular music and politician.-Songs:* M-am născut printre Carpaţi* Gorjule, grădină dulce* De când sunt pe-acest pământ* Mândro, când ne iubeam noi...
, Maria Ciobanu, Irina Loghin, Sofia Vicoveanca
Sofia Vicoveanca
Sofia Micu , known by her stage name of Sofia Vicoveanca, is a renowned Romanian singer of popular music music from the Bucovina region.-Musical career:...
, Nicolae Furdui Iancu and instrumentalists like Gheorghe Zamfir
Gheorghe Zamfir
Gheorghe Zamfir is a Romanian pan flute musician.Zamfir is known for playing an expanded version of the traditional Romanian-style pan flute of 20 pipes to 22, 25, 28 and 30 pipes to increase its range, and obtaining as many as eight overtones from each pipe by changing the embouchure.He is...
, Dumitru Fărcaş
Dumitru Farcas
Dumitru Fărcaş is a Romanian tárogató player. He played the instrument on all major stages in the world and made the tárogató known all over the world....
and Dumitru Zamfira. Some of the most important ensembles were the national "Ciocârlia" ensemble, the "Barbu Lăutaru" ensemble of the State Philharmonic, the "Doina" ensemble of the Romanian Army, etc. Most of this ensembles disband after the fall of the communist regime or reduced their personnel. Today, the most famous orchestras are the "Lăutarii" ensemble (based in Moldova) and a so called "National Orchestra for Folklore" ("Orchestra Naţională de Folclor").